Chris Armstrong played his first full game for more than a year as Reading reserves lost 2-0 to QPR at Hogwood yesterday.

The left-back came through unscathed and will now be in contention for selection ahead of Royals’ trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Club captain Ivar Ingimarsson played for 65 minutes, but the trip to the Riverside looks like it will be just a little too early for him.

Assistant boss Nigel Gibbs said: “Chris did very well. We will try to get another game for him and Ivar next week and see where that takes us.

“We are getting players back now and there is real competition which is important. The players who have the shirt are doing well, but they have to do well to stay in because we have some good players in the squad.”

“In three weeks there will be six games and we are going to need everyone in the squad and the boys who are coming off the bench are doing a good job for us.

“It’s a tough period, but out boys are up for it. The squad is a lot better balanced now.”

Jordan Hibbert scored both goals for QPR reserves against a young and inexperienced Reading side that included Jake Taylor, Abdulai Bell-Baggie and Jordan Obita.